Johnny Dwight Commits to Alabama: Tide Land Another State of Georgia Recruit

Johnny Dwight, 3-star defensive tackle from Rochelle, Ga., has committed to Alabama, bringing the Crimson Tide's 2014 commitment total up to nine. Dwight is also the sixth out of state commitment for Nick Saban and his staff, as well as the third player from the state of Georgia.

For many programs those would be staggering numbers. For Alabama, it's just another day on the recruiting trail.

Dwight's other two offers are from LSU and North Carolina, per 247Sports, but the big defensive tackle chose Alabama, according to a report from Matt Scalici of AL.com, who cites BamaOnline:

Dwight, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound prospect from Wilcox County High School, is the Tide's 9th commitment for the class of 2014 and made the commitment while visiting Tuscaloosa for the Tide's summer football camp.

“This was my first time visiting Alabama," Dwight told BamaOnline. "I liked it a lot. It’s very pretty around there. I liked the campus, the weight room. I love their coaching staff.”

At 6'2'', 275 pounds according to 247sports, Dwight has good size for a rising senior, but he'll have to put on more weight to really thrive at Alabama as a defensive tackle. That said, he has plenty of time to do that, and the potential is certainly there.

In fact, Rivals.com has Dwight at 6'3'', 298 pounds, which is much closer to the weight he'll have to be at in order to play nose tackle in Alabama's 3-4 base defense.

Dwight's commitment to Alabama continues a trend that only bodes well for the Crimson Tide. Saban and his staff have had a great deal of success recruiting in the state of Georgia. Dwight joins fellow state of Georgia recruits 4-star cornerback Kalvaraz Bessent and 3-star safety Chris Williams as part of this 2013 class. Last cycle, Saban was able to land three Georgia recruits as well, including No. 1 all-purpose back Alvin Kamara and 4-star running back Tyren Jones.

Considering the talent that comes out of Georgia on a yearly basis, being able to reach into the state and recruit a handful of great players each cycle is one of the reasons Alabama football is, in fact, Alabama football.

That helps set the tone for recruits like Dwight, who could feel more apt to commit to 'Bama and travel out of state for school.

Alabama is still high on the respective 247Sports interest lists of 5-star weak-side defensive end Lorenzo Carter (leader) and 4-star defensive tackle Elisha Shaw (Ole Miss leader, Alabama top three), both from Georgia, so look for Saban and his staff to continue to make their presence known in the Peach State—in this cycle and beyond.

Check out B/R's interactive map, click on Alabama to see all of the Crimson Tide's commits and targets: